In the U.S. MUD community, it has become
traditional to express pique or censure by bonking the offending person. Convention holds
that one should acknowledge a bonk by saying “oif!” and there
is a myth to the effect that failing to do so upsets the cosmic bonk/oif
balance, causing much trouble in the universe. Some MUDs have implemented
special commands for bonking and oifing. Note: in parts of the
U.K. ‘bonk’ is a sexually loaded slang term; care is advised in
transatlantic conversations (see boink).
Commonwealth hackers report a similar convention involving the
‘fish/bang’ balance. See also talk
mode.